Care Teams Being Formed as Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon Approaches Completion

As crews continue construction of the new Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Carbon, hospital officials are focused to hire leaders, care providers and other support colleagues who will provide health care services for generations to come in Carbon County. “We are making outstanding progress in both our facility and forming our team,” says Terry Purcell, President of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Northwest Region which includes LVH–Hazleton, LVH–Schuylkill and LVH–Carbon. “We are very excited to extend our reach and scope of services in Carbon County. It is with a look to the future that we introduce experienced and skilled leaders at LVH–Carbon.”  

Marianne Smalley, MD, Orefield, will serve as Medical Director of the Emergency Room (ER). Smalley has worked in the LVH–Cedar Crest ER since 2015 and also serves as Assistant Professor for SELECT, a medical education program created by the University of South Florida College of Medicine and LVHN. Previously, Smalley worked as an ER physician at Fairview Hospital, a division of the Cleveland Clinic, and was a clinical instructor at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Smalley is a graduate of University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed her emergency medicine residency at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia. She has been part of numerous research projects and presentations.

Vickie Ripkey, MSN, RN, Lehighton, is Patient Care Manager of Perioperative Services and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the perioperative department by maintaining case flow and staffing assignments. Previously, she served as the operating room internship coordinator and patient care specialist in the operating room at LVH–Cedar Crest. Before that, she served as an orthopedic surgery nurse and an operating room supervisor.

Ripkey is a graduate of Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, Pa., with an Associate Degree in Nursing and Cedar Crest College, Allentown, with a BSN in Nursing.  She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration/Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix.

Brittany Cosgrove, BSN, RN, Albrightsville, will serve as Patient Care Manager Emergency department/patient care units. She will lead and develop the team to make for the best possible patient experience.

Previously, Cosgrove worked in the ambulatory procedure unit and post-anesthesia care unit at St. Luke’s Monroe Campus, Bartonsville. She was an ER nurse at Geisinger Wyoming Valley/South Wilkes-Barre. She also served as an ER unit secretary at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Cosgrove earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa., her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing, Wilkes-Barre, and her Master of Health Care Administration from University of Phoenix.

When completed, the new LVH–Carbon will feature 18 all-private hospital rooms with the capability of expanding to 36 beds. Additionally, LVH–Carbon will have a 12-bed ER, two operating suites and two special procedure rooms. Under Smalley’s leadership, the 24/7 ER will be staffed by the same physicians who work at LVH–Cedar Crest. LVH–Carbon will adjoin with an all-new medical office building being constructed as part of this hospital project. It will provide further convenience for residents who can visit their practitioner, have a laboratory or imaging study and have immediate access to other LVHN services, all in one visit.

The new hospital will expand upon the services LVHN already offers in the area. Some of the services at the hospital include surgical care provided by Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence and comprehensive heart care through Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as care provided by Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, orthopedic services through Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and specialty care such as neurology, endocrinology, pulmonology and other services close to home.